Deputy Director, Individual Assistance Division

This is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position located within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA), Office of Response and Recovery, Recovery Directorate, Individual Assistance Division.

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Duties

This position resides in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Office of Response and Recovery, Recovery Directorate.

The Recovery Directorate is responsible for providing the core Federal disaster recovery capability needed to save lives, reduce suffering, and protect property and communities throughout the Nation that have been overwhelmed by the impact of an incident, regardless of cause. The incumbent serves as the Deputy Director, Individual Assistance Division, responsible for: developing, managing, directing, and evaluating all Division programs and activities; overseeing the development and administration of policies and procedures for all assigned programs; and managing, directing, and ensuring accountability for all work of the Division.

As the Deputy Director, Individual Assistance Division performs the following duties:

• The incumbent is responsible for the oversight, policy, procedural development, and coordination of the many provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 44 Code of Federal Regulations Emergency Management and Assistance, the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, and related authorities. The incumbent is also responsible for the coordination of mass care, sheltering and emergency assistance activities under the National Response Framework.
• The incumbent continuously analyzes and recommends changes to policy in order to increase program efficiency and responsiveness. Continuously evaluates the effectiveness of Individual Assistance programs and systems based on feedback from disaster survivors and develops enhancements to improve service delivery. Directs and manages the staff of the Individual Assistance Division. Determines staffing and disaster workforce needs, develops plans for organizational change, determines resource, facility, training, contracting and staffing requirements, and the proper allocation of resources.
• Delegates authority to subordinate supervisors and holds them accountable for performance within their areas. Provides leadership in setting performance expectations for the workforce and program delivery that are commensurate with Agency and organizational strategic plan objectives and is responsible for achieving program goals and initiatives.

EMERGENCY ASSIGNMENT: Every FEMA employee has regular and recurring emergency management responsibilities, though not every position requires routine deployment to disaster sites. All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee’s official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically austere and operationally challenging conditions.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• File a Public Financial Disclosure (SF-278) within 30 days of appointment.
• If selected, a one-year SES Probationary period may be required.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret (SCI) clearance.
• This position is subject to a random drug test.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Technical Qualifications and Executive Core Qualifications listed below. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector.

Each applicant is required to submit a comprehensive narrative statement, which addresses BOTH the Mandatory Technical Qualifications and the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) outlined below. Applicants who do not submit a supplemental narrative statement that addresses these factors will be ineligible for further consideration. The narrative portion for the Technical Qualifications MUST NOT EXCEED 6 PAGES TOTAL. The supplemental narrative statement for the Executive Core Qualifications should address the necessary level of management skills, characteristics, qualities, specialized knowledge, and technical competence that would indicate successful performance in the SES. This evidence must include clear and concise examples that emphasize the applicant’s level of responsibilities, scope, and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives, and level of contacts. The narrative portion for the Executive Core Qualifications MUST NOT EXCEED 10 PAGES. For guidance in preparing a narrative statement addressing the ECQs, applicants can access OPM’s website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/executive-core-qualifications/

The following categories of applicants may omit the mandatory Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), but MUST address the Technical Qualification factors:

• Applicants who are currently serving under a SES career appointment (must provide a copy of Standard Form 50–Notification of Personnel Action that documents career appointment to the SES).
• Applicants who are eligible for reinstatement to the SES (must provide a copy of Standard Form 50–Notification of Personnel Action that documents career appointment to the SES).
• Applicants who are graduates of OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Programs (must provide proof of OPM Qualifications Review Board certification).

All required application materials will be reviewed to determine if applicants meet the mandatory qualification requirements. Qualification and experience determinations will be based only on the information supplied by the applicant. The best-qualified candidates for this position will be distinguished from other applicants by an evaluation committee to determine the degree to which qualification requirements are met. Applicants should provide specific evidence of possession of the mandatory Technical and Executive Core Qualifications, as outlined under Qualifications Criteria, to assist the evaluation committee in determining the best- qualified candidates that will be considered for final selection. The Executive Core Qualifications of the selectee are subject to approval by the Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Review Board (QRB). Unless you have already been certified by an OPM QRB in the past, your ECQs must be certified by an OPM QRB before appointment can occur. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.

If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Technical Qualifications – Mandatory

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to establish, adapt, and continually examine program regulations, policies, structure, resources, and performance to implement an organization’s mission, strategic goals, and vision.
• Demonstrated knowledge and leadership of emergency management and disaster recovery programs, including relationships between local, state, tribal, and federal government entities.
• Demonstrated management-level experience leading teams in the development, communication, and execution of a strategic vision or plan that changes business processes, service standards, or program delivery models.

Applicants currently serving under a career Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment, eligible for reinstatement into SES, or have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) approved by OPM are not required to address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs); but a narrative statement for each of the Technical Qualifications (TQs) is recommended.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs):

ECQ 1: LEADING CHANGE: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.

ECQ 2: LEADING PEOPLE: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organization’s vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.

ECQ 3: RESULTS DRIVEN: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.

ECQ 4: BUSINESS ACUMEN: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.

ECQ 5: BUILDING COALITIONS: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

Education

There are no educational requirements for this position.

Additional information

• To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo, successfully pass, and maintain a background investigation for TOP SECRET/SCI clearance as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check after initial job qualifications are determined (Mythbuster), review of financial issues, such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. For more information on background investigations for Federal jobs please visit the OPM website at https://www.opm.gov/investigations/background-investigations/.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
• DHS uses E-verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
• This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position.
• Relocation expenses may be authorized.
• All candidates must be able to deploy with little or no advance notice to anywhere in the United States and its territories for an extended period of time.
• If selected, you will be subject to 24-hour on-call in the event of an emergency. In this event, this service may include duties other than those specified in the official position description. Selectee must be able to relocate to emergency sites with little advance notice and function under intense physical and mental stress.
• Mandatory Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer (DD/EFT) for salary payment is a condition of employment at DHS/FEMA. Selectee will be required to participate in DD/EFT.
• This position has been identified as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) because of its security, public health, and/or public safety sensitivity; if selected, you will be subject to random drug testing under FEMA’s Drug-Free Workplace Plan (DWP). Refusal to be tested will result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

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• Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits”.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.